Aggregation-induced emission shining in the biomedical field: From bench to bedside

Abstract

Fluorogens with aggregation-induced emission characteristics (AIEgens) have been developed in an unprecedented manner in the biomedical field over the past decade, which is ascribable to their superior fluorescence quantum yields, photosensitivities, as well as their “turn-on” characteristics in their aggregate states. By deliberately engineering their molecular structures and nanocarriers, the input energies of AIEgens can be channeled into specific forms, thereby enabling bioimaging, phototherapy, and even synergetic therapy. Moreover, multiple targeting strategies have been tailored for nidus and pathogen localization that subsequently guide therapeutic processes. This review integrates application-oriented design strategies for AIEgens, demonstrating how microscopic imaging, bioimaging, and theranostics can be developed to combat tumors, pathogens, and other diseases, and critically discusses challenges and perspectives for clinical translation.

Keywords

• Aggregation-induced emission (AIE)
• Biomedical field
• Microscopic imaging
• Bioimaging
• Theranostics